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Lessons from the Field: developing strategies to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health programming

BRENNAN KEISER, MSW – BOARD MEMBER AT MINGA FOUNDATION

Web: https://mingafoundation.org/

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Facebook: @TheMingaFoundation

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Learning objectives:

  • Describe a model for understanding the context that will aid in the design of sexual health programs

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  • Link specific implementation strategies to contextual barriers through examples that draw from two case studies in Panama and Malawi

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  • Understand the importance of defining and measuring intended (and unintended) outcomes for sexual and reproductive health

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About Me:

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Know the context:

Baral, S., Logie, C.H., Grosso, A. et al. Modified social ecological model: a tool to guide the assessment of the risks and risk contexts of HIV epidemics. BMC Public Health 13, 482 (2013).

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Case one: Gender and Development Camp in Panama

Implementing Sexual and Reproductive Health Education

Team-based Sports, Games and Problem Solving

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Will my girls be safe?

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  • Organizing transportation

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  • Modifying facilities for basic necessities

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  • Creating separate spaces for sensitive topics

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Mind the intersections:

Race/Ethnicity and Beauty Standards

Kendell Jenner appearing in Agenda Feb 2022

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Mind the intersections:

LGBTQ+ individuals

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  • Are there social consequences to being out as a sexual or gender minority?

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  • Would an LGBTQ+ inclusive program be accepted by the parents and larger community?

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  • Do health providers accept and tolerate LGBTQ+ lived experiences?

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Case two: NAYO Youth Development Programs in Malawi

Funding youth development programs and consulting with partners to make it more gender-aware

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Where are the women/girls?

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  • Do boys and girls play the same sports in the communities where you’re working?

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  • Are boys and girls’ contributions valued equally?

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  • How common are forms of abuse and violence (psychological, emotional, physical and sexual)?

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  • Do girls have the power to negotiate condom use and/or opening take contraceptives?

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Moving beyond Train and Pray:

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  • Match key messages and calls-to-action to the context

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  • Daring to measure more than changes in knowledge post-training

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  • Define the outcomes you aim to achieve and consult with experts about how to measure success

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  • Keep expectations about M&E in check within low-resource settings

Data shared with permission from Youth Radio Program Managers